Oct 16 Watch 5:39 How drug distributors reportedly hobbled law enforcement from policing the flow of opioids By PBS News Hour An investigation by 60 Minutes and the Washington Post alleges that the companies that distribute opioid painkillers to pharmacies and doctors’ offices nationwide persuaded Congress to weaken the DEA’s ability to halt drug distribution at the height of the opioid… Continue watching
Oct 16 How you can help California wildfire victims By Jennifer Hijazi Fierce winds that have fanned the flames of more than 14 wildfires raging through Northern California are beginning to die down this week. As of Monday, the fires had left 41 dead, 213,000 acres burned and 5,700 structures destroyed. Continue reading
Oct 16 Thousands share stories of sexual abuse with #MeToo after Weinstein allegations By Joshua Barajas Thousands of people revealed the magnitude of sexual assault and harassment they have endured under the social media hashtag #MeToo within the last 24 hours. Women shared stories of how they’ve been the targets of such abuse after actor Alyssa… Continue reading
Oct 16 Birth control loophole opens for employers under new federal regulation By Julie Rovner, KFF Health News The regulation creates a new exemption from the requirement that most employers offer contraceptive coverage. This one is for “non-religious organizations with sincerely held moral convictions inconsistent with providing coverage for some or all contraceptive services.”… Continue reading
Oct 14 Watch 4:04 California wildfire evacuees return home to rubble By PBS News Hour Wildfires in northern California have caused about 95,000 residents to evacuate and killed at least 35 people, making them the deadliest in the state’s history. As firefighters make progress containing the flames, some residents are returning home to ruins. PBS… Continue watching
Oct 14 Harvey Weinstein expelled from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences By Corinne Segal, Kamala Kelkar The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' 54-member board voted overwhelmingly to “immediately expel” bigtime Oscar player Harvey Weinstein from the governing body of the Academy Awards. Continue reading
Oct 14 Nearly 3 decades later, Anita Hill sees the needle moving on sexual harassment By Jocelyn Noveck, Associated Press It’s been 26 years since Anita Hill, soft-spoken and deliberate in her bright blue suit, sat before a Senate panel and detailed the lurid sexual harassment charges that would transfix a nation. Clarence Thomas went on to the Supreme Court,… Continue reading
Oct 14 An old-school pharmacy hand-delivers drugs to Congress, a little-known perk for the powerful By Erin Mershon, STAT WASHINGTON — If House Speaker Paul Ryan comes down with the flu this winter, he and his security detail won’t be screeching off toward the closest CVS for his Tamiflu. Instead, he can just walk downstairs and pick up the… Continue reading
Oct 13 Analysis: What you need to know about Trump’s changes to the health law By Julie Appleby, Mary Agnes Carey, Kaiser Health News, Julie Rovner, KFF Health News Apparently frustrated by Congress’ inability to “repeal and replace” the Affordable Care Act, President Donald Trump this week decided to take matters into his own hands. Late Thursday evening, the White House announced it would cease key payments to insurers. Continue reading